Just curious...

Situational awareness is number one.

Look like a bad area, don’t go there.

Stay off the streets and don't live next to one. My driveway is 1/4 mile long.

Know when to hold and know when to fold.

I have dozens of friends and family in socialist societies that just stay.
"Hold"
Know when to "Fold" Man, when to get out.
Book of Genesis. Our Main Man Lot.
Know when to get boogie.

quote:

Originally posted by Mark Clark:
Situational awareness is number one.

Look like a bad area, don’t go there.

For sure whether on the streets or in the woods.

Having studied, instructed and worked a job where self-defense could have been eminent.

Having been attacked and have had to defend my self.

Realizing and recognizing an attack could and is happening can give you the few extra seconds needed to win.

Decide that you are responsible for your own safety.

Far too many have said I thought the shots were fire works, I didn't think it could happen to me, the odds are so low I don't have to have a weapon on me.

Listen to your sixth sense, I have been saved by mine on numerous occasions.

Same goes for hunting I killed lots of critters because my sixth sense told me there is one here.

If you decide to carry a firearm carry a effective one. Practice, train don't leave home without it.

In the famous Paris night club attack 8 highly trained police officers who were there attending left their firearms at home.

Why their wife's begged them not to take them.

As Ann stated don't live on a street. But that brings with it's own set of problems.

quote:

Situational awareness is number one.

"Realizing and recognizing an attack could and is happening can give you the few extra seconds needed to win."

"Listen to your sixth sense"

I totally agree with the above.

A few of my own thoughts. Stay in the moment. Don't be caught daydreaming, and if the locals won't go there, take their advice; doesn't matter whether you are in Houston or Jakarta.

A couple of my own examples:

1. Got off the subway in Caracas at the wrong station and decided I could still walk to the hotel from there. Found myself in a really bad area. Some men recognized me as a possible Gringo (target) and started yelling at me. I never stopped walking and never indicated I heard them. They decided I must be a local and didn't follow.

2. I was hunting the Davy Crockett National Forest, down by Groveton, with a friend. Three "hunters" drove up in their "Jeep". They got out, and to me, they were "casing" our campsite. Within a minute I was uncomfortable, picked up my rifle, and moved off into the trees like I was going to hunt, while my friend talked to them. I had a clear shot at all three, and they knew it. After a few minutes they got back in their vehicle and left. My friend told me he was hoping like hell that I hadn't really gone hunting. We immediately broke camp and moved miles away. Both of us felt they would be back after dark.

3. While in Rio I decided to walk from Copacabana Beach to Ipanema Beach. Both beaches are relatively safe, but what I hadn't counted on was the short distance in between, a virtual No Man's Land of robbery and mugging possibilities. I had a group of young thugs follow me for a block.

Mumbai had the same dangers. There is a Safe Zone around the 6-star hotels. It is only about 15 feet wide at the front door. Once you step outside that area, you will probably be swarmed by street urchins and beggars trying to rob you. Even if you are going from one hotel to another across the street, you best take an auto rickshaw.

Lastly, even the best trained can lose their lives if they drop their guard. https://www.usatoday.com/story...r-sentence/20537451/ Mike McLelland kept weapons in multiple rooms of his home, His assistant had been murdered days earlier. Why did his wife open the door, and why was Mike's first move not to grab a weapon. Can't say any of us would do anything different, but you have to consider and think through what could have resulted in a better outcome.

Don't overestimate your abilities.

quote:

Originally posted by Mark Clark:
Situational awareness is number one.

Look like a bad area, don’t go there.

This is my problem. I feel fairly comfortable wherever I am. I know I don't look around as often as I should. I usually focus on my destination without thinking of my surroundings.
Thanks Mark Clark. I'm working on it.

quote:

Why did his wife open the door, and why was Mike's first move not to grab a weapon

Wife most likely believed it wouldn't happen to them.

Wife most likely complained once to often about her husbands weapons.

I generally keep a wad of about 20 one dollar bills in my left pants pocket. Came in handy once in a big city in a third world country. Had a situation with three guys that made me uncomfortable. Tossed the bills into the air and while they floated down, all three went for the money, which gave me the five to ten seconds I needed to beat a hasty retreat. Criminals are looking for money and aren't very bright for the most part. They got 20 bucks.

quote:

2. I was hunting the Davy Crockett National Forest, down by Groveton, with a friend. Three "hunters" drove up in their "Jeep". They got out, and to me, they were "casing" our campsite. Within a minute I was uncomfortable, picked up my rifle, and moved off into the trees like I was going to hunt, while my friend talked to them. I had a clear shot at all three, and they knew it. After a few minutes they got back in their vehicle and left. My friend told me he was hoping like hell that I hadn't really gone hunting. We immediately broke camp and moved miles away. Both of us felt they would be back after dark.

Yellowstone River near Fallon MT, same scenario but three of us and only one casing us.
Someone in a car picked him up on the road next to camp after he walked away.

Outside US

What to chill out and be safe. Find a city with organized crime. Macau is perfect example. Organized crime will make sure petty crime is minimal to non existent.

Don’t carry knifes. You will likely be stopped by security going in malls, hotels ect. Better to carry a leather man that has a knife blade buried somewhere.

Mike

Avoid poorly lit places and be aware of your surroundings. Don't travel to any major American city.

Grizz

Don’t look like a stupid tourist.

When the stock broker calls you, hang up the phone...the deal's already been passed up by everybody with an account bigger than yours.

quote:

Originally posted by Mark Clark:
Situational awareness is number one.

Look like a bad area, don’t go there.

Exactly.

This is number one

TomP's advice is very valid.

I had an account with Eppler, Guerin, & Turner almost fifty years ago. They called with a "wonderful opportunity". It was Pier 1 Imports. They were going to sell me shares and waive their brokerage fee. (At that time the fee would have been about $100.) I bought a small amount.

Pier 1 went to bankruptcy. The reason EG&T could easily sell those shares without a brokerage fee was because they were shares that they personally owned and were trying to offload, because EG&T knew Pier 1 was a bad investment.

That convinced me never to trust a stock broker, or a "financial advisor". It has worked very well for me over the years.

Hanging around camp one day a small group of
dodgy guys came by and started to hassle me.

I Always wear my hunting rig gunbelt. Just to
let them know. I lifted my coat or shirt tail
to rest on the gun butt.

Within two minutes they all left. Gave me the feeling
they were up to no good as I had sensed it.

Here's one from/for home:

IF you're going to have a bunch of dogs, make
damn sure you ARE the leader and don't ever let
them get the idea you're afraid of them, or afraid
of getting chewed on. Sooner or later one or more
will try to take the lead away, so expect it.

IF/when one clamps down on another or you. DON'T
try to beat them off, you'll only hurt your hand.
Grab as deep a hold as you can get in their throat
and squeeze hard as you can. Their jaws will open.

George